Artificial Neural Networks: A Practical Course

This book provides comprehensive coverage of neural networks, their evolution, their structure, the problems they can solve, and their applications. The first half of the book looks at theoretical investigations on artificial neural networks and addresses the key architectures that are capable of implementation in various application scenarios. The second half is designed specifically for the production of solutions using artificial neural networks to solve practical problems arising from different areas of knowledge. It also describes the various implementation details that were taken into account to achieve the reported results. These aspects contribute to the maturation and improvement of experimental techniques to specify the neural network architecture that is most appropriate for a particular application scope. The book is appropriate for students in graduate and upper undergraduate courses in addition to researchers and professionals.

IVAN NUNES DA SILVA was born in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, in 1967. He graduated in computer science and electrical engineering at the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, in 1991 and 1992, respectively. He received both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, in 1995 and 1997, respectively. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP). His research interests are within the fields of artificial neural networks, fuzzy inference systems, power system automation and robotics. He is also associate editor of the International Journal on Power System Optimization and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Control, Automation and Electrical Systems. He has published more than 400 papers in congress proceedings, international journals and book chapters.

DANILO HERNANE SPATTI was born in Araras, Brazil, in 1981. He graduated in electrical engineering from the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, in 2005. He received both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Currently, he is a Senior Researcher at the University of São Paulo. His research interests are artificial neural networks, computation complexity, systems optimization and intelligent systems.

ROGÉRIO ANDRADE FLAUZINO was born in Franca, Brazil, in 1978. He graduated in electrical engineering and also received M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, in 2001 and 2004, respectively. He received Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 2007. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo. His research interests are artificial neural networks, computational intelligence, fuzzy inference systems and power systems.

SILAS FRANCO DOS REIS ALVES was born in Marília, Brazil, in 1987. He graduated in information systems from the São Paulo State University (UNESP). He received M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Currently, he is a Senior Researcher at the University of São Paulo. His research interests are robotics, artificial neural networks, machine learning, intelligent systems, signal processing and nonlinear optimization.

LUISA HELENA BARTOCCI LIBONI was born in Sertãozinho, Brazil, in 1986. She graduated in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 2010. She received Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 2016. Currently, she is a Senior Researcher at the University of São Paulo. Her research interests are artificial neural networks, intelligent systems,signal processing and nonlinear optimization.